Course description
Course description
The study of Politics entails five intersecting realms: Area Studies, Comparative Politics and Political Behaviour; International Relations; Political Theory and Policy Making. At The University of Manchester, there are internationally recognised experts working in all these areas of politics. We also have a long-standing reputation for teaching and research in politics. In addition to securing a '5' in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise, the quality of our teaching was also recognised when the department received the highest possible marks (24/24) for teaching quality. We have a long tradition of teaching the subject for over 50 years (with some 35 academic political science members of staff) and constitute the largest unit of its kind in the country. Therefore, we can offer a wide choice of modules in areas such as Britain and American Politics; the European Union; Comparative European Politics; Political Theory; Third World Politics; International Relations; Globalisation; Gender and Ethics. The PPE programme at Manchester is a structured, balanced, yet flexible programme of study, informed by current research, in which you study significant topics, problems and issues. The programme enhances your capacity to critically evaluate competing arguments about political events, ideas and institutions; helps you develop the ability to evaluate effectively economic policies and places the study of economics in its broader institutional and political context. You develop the ability to evaluate, and think through for yourself, philosophical arguments and positions. You study each of the disciplines throughout your three years of study, although you may choose to specialise in one or two of the three areas. Core topics covered include logic, the theory of knowledge, comparative politics, political theory and micro and macro economics. You can also study the philosophy of science, ethics, European politics, political economy, and the workings of the UK and other economies. The PPE degree does not require students to have studied any of the subjects before.
Course content for year 1
Your first year is intorductory and your studies are split equally accross the three disciplines. This is when you gain a grounding in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, which enables you to progress smoothly into the second year, and which gives you the requisite knowledge to make informed choices about your studies in years 2 and 3. In Politics, you take two year long course units, one in Introduction to Political Thought and one of your choice from either Introduction to International Politics or Introduction to Comparative Politics. You take three core Philosophy course units: Intoduction to Theory of Knowledge, Critical Thinking and Logic. Finally, in Economics, you take course units in Macro and Micro Economics supported by Maths and Statistics courses, all of which are tailored to your background.
Course content for year 2
The second year develops further your understanding of Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Your studies are again split equally accross the three disciplines, but with the added benefit that you can begin to choose course units that reflect your developing interests. Politics and Economics have required core course units (in Politics you can take two of five course units in Comparative European Politics or a course in Freedom and Equality, while in Economics you take Level 2 Macro and Micro Economics), which you then supplement with a further 20 credits of course units (normally one extra course unit) in each discipline. In Philosophy you take 40 credits (two course units) from a range of courses run by the Centre of Philosophy.
Course content for year 3
The final year enables you to continue to deepen your understanding of each of the disciplines while at the same time pursuing your particular interests. In addition to a course unit in each Philosphy, Politics and Economics, you write a final year dissertation (of about 7,000 words) in one of the three disciplines. You are then able to choose a further 40 credits (normally two course units, though up to four) from accross the three disciplines.
Accrediting organisations
We are affiliated to the European Consortium for Political research and a corporate member of the University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES). We also play an active part in both the Political Studies Association and the British International Studies Association.
Career opportunities
A degree from Manchester is recognised as a mark of quality and our external examiners frequently comment on the high quality of our teaching and written work of our students. The intellectual and analytical skills acquired by a PPE graduate equips you well for a wide range of careers. Graduates will be well placed to enjoy careers in, for example, journalism, the law, publishing, social work, government, and management and financial consultancy.
